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1. Graduate School Reports Record High Enrollment |
Preliminary numbers of graduate students enrolled at Michigan Tech have hit a record high of 1,189 for the spring 2010 semester, nearly a 22-percent increase over Spring 2009. The numbers include 71 first-time master's degree students and 31 first-time doctoral students.
"These numbers are very encouraging, and we are moving closer to our goal of having 1,250 graduate students at Michigan Tech," said Jacqueline Huntoon, dean of the Graduate School. "I greatly appreciate everyone's efforts in helping Michigan Tech achieve its vision for the future.
"I would like to thank all of the faculty, staff and students who have helped the University achieve this increase in graduate student enrollment," she added. "People involved with graduate education have worked hard throughout the year to promote our programs, respond to students' needs, pursue external sources of financial support for students, and generally ensure that students are able to make the most of their time in graduate school."
The Graduate School offers 40 master's and PhD programs, four certificate programs and four research concentrations. For more information, see http://www.mtu.edu/gradschool/ . |
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2. "Dining with the Kappas" Supports Haiti Relief Efforts |
The Omicron Theta Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., is hosting a "Dining with the Kappas" fundraiser at Joey's Seafood and Grill all day Wednesday, Jan. 27, to raise money for the victims of the devastating earthquake in Haiti.
This local event is part of a nationwide "Dining with the Kappas" fundraiser that undergraduate chapters of Kappa Alpha Psi across the United States will be hosting on the same day. Chapters are partnering with any restaurant of their choice, making a percentage of the total profits of the people they bring to the restaurant, and donating 100 percent of that money to Haiti relief. This event is one of many efforts from the fraternity's "iKare" (International Kappa Action Relief Effort) initiative, which was started to help those in need in response to this natural disaster.
"Everyone from the local community is welcome and encouraged to eat at Joey's Seafood and Grill anytime that day to help do their part," said Perry E. Wilson, Jr., president of the Omicron Theta Chapter. "If we unite together as a community, we can do many great things for the people of Haiti! This is only the beginning of what Kappa Alpha Psi will be personally doing."
Members of the Omicron Theta Chapter will be dining at the restaurant from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. that day to promote attendance. To support the fundraiser, mention Kappa Alpha Psi's name, print out a flyer or put your meal receipt in the donation box next to the cash register.
Locally, the Omicron Theta Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., was founded on campus during the academic year of 1999-2000. |
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3. "Send a Kid to Camp" Scholarships |
Youngsters often lose interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics--the STEM fields--before they hit high school, particularly students from groups that are underrepresented in the sciences. Yet those fields form the foundation of a modern technological society.
Michigan Tech's Corporate Advisory Board for Institutional Diversity (CABID) is extremely concerned about the potential loss of such vital talent. So its fundraising strategy subcommittee, made up of three alumni and a friend of Michigan Tech, challenged themselves. They initiated a demonstration project to raise scholarships that would enable a more-diverse group of students to participate in Tech's Youth Programs this summer.
"Bright, ambitious kids need access to great educational experiences regardless of their economic situation," said Terese Hunwick, cochair of the subcommittee and a managing director of Thayer-Carver, Inc. "When we send a kid to camp at Michigan Tech, we give students an opportunity to see where pursuing their interests and aptitude can take them."
The subcommittee plans to reach out to corporate colleagues and friends, aiming to raise a minimum of $25,000 this year for Youth Programs scholarships for students entering seventh, eighth or ninth grades next fall. Scholarship recipients will be selected on the basis of economic need and academic achievement.
"Youth Programs is extremely grateful for the efforts of the Corporate Advisory Board for Institutional Diversity," said Steve Patchin, Youth Programs outreach director. "Participants and their parents have told us that attending our residential programs has provided students with insight into their talents and interests and the confidence that they can succeed in college."
As a board member and cochair of the "Send a Kid to Camp" subcommittee, alumnus Frank Krieber said he is proud to support the program. "It will enable young people who otherwise might not have had this opportunity to understand the different opportunities available to them past high school and to interact with other kids who share their interests--not just from Michigan, but from other parts of the country and the world," the Dell Inc. account manager explained.
Chris Anderson, special assistant to the president for institutional diversity, also praised the initiative. "The Institutional Diversity board is a strong advocate for diversity initiatives at all levels on our campus," she said. "This subcommittee, in particular, wants to highlight how our alums and corporate friends might impact a national concern--increasing the numbers of students who graduate from high school and complete postsecondary degrees. Youth Programs provide an avenue to engage young people in STEM activities and introduce them to the potential of a college education and to Michigan Tech."
For more information about Youth Programs, and to donate, go to http://youthprograms.mtu.edu/alumni-send-a-kid.php . |
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4. International Food Coming to the MUB--First Lunch Will Help Haitian Relief |
It's called Khana Khazana in Hindi. Or Alimentación del Tesoro in Spanish. 食品寶藏 in Chinese; Продовольственная сокровищ in Russian; and Food Treasure in English. But Khana Khazana by any other name is coming to lunch at Michigan Tech, beginning Friday, Jan. 29.
Khana Khazana will be an international food booth in the Memorial Union Commons. The project was proposed by international students Sahil Thakkar and Safayat Alam and enthusiastically adopted by Eric Karvonen, executive chef, and Matt Lean, associate director of retail dining for Dining Services. Student chefs from various countries will cook, and every Friday the booth will offer a different international menu.
A full meal, including drink, will cost $6. Dishes will also be available a la carte. All proceeds beyond expenses for the first lunch--approximately $3 per plate--will be donated to Haitian relief, according to Lean.
Some of the international meals will focus on a single ethnic cuisine. Others will combine foods from various countries.
"Eating is an adventure, and more and more people want to eat more diverse foods," said Karvonen. He said he believes Michigan Tech is one of the first universities to offer a regular ethnic menu in its main campus dining facility, cooked by students from the countries represented.
The third International Food Festival in November was such a success, followed by an international food tasting in the Memorial Union in early December, that "this is the next logical step," said Bob Wenc, the International Club advisor from International Programs and Services.
"There are limited opportunities to eat authentic ethnic food in the Houghton area, and people are hungry for this," said Thakkar, publicity chair of the International Club and an enthusiastic Indian cook.
An undergraduate in electrical engineering technology from India, Thakkar will cook the first Khana Khazana meal: egg bhurji, featuring eggs, onions, tomatoes and spices, served with bread; mixed spice veggie pulav with vegetables and rice; Sahil's fruit salad, which includes mangoes, apples, bananas and blueberries; and chai (Indian spiced tea). Other international students will cook on subsequent Fridays. Dining Services hopes to see students cooking ethnic specialties from all over the world.
"The success of Khana Khazana all depends on the students," said Lean, "If they become excited and involved, they will support the booth, and I believe others will too, from Michigan Tech and the surrounding community."
Khana Khazana and other food services at Michigan Tech are open to the public as well as the campus community. |
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5. Memorial Grove Tree Count Climbs to 54, and There is Room for More |
A campaign to plant a Memorial Grove on the Michigan Tech campus has generated sponsorship for 54 trees so far, and due to strong interest, the University is extending the campaign until Jan. 31.
The trees--both deciduous and conifer--will be planted this spring, along the heavily traveled eastern approach to the campus on Highway 41. Individuals, families or organizations can sponsor trees in honor or memory of someone they admire. The grove will become a living memorial to friends and family who made our community what it is today.
The Memorial Grove was proposed last fall by a local businessman, Dan Lorenzetti, owner of Superior Block in Houghton. "This is a wonderful opportunity for ordinary people in the community to become part of a living memorial, and at the same time to support Michigan Tech," said Lorenzetti, who grew up in Hancock.
"People absolutely love the idea of adding to the greening of campus while paying tribute to a loved one, friend or colleague," said Paula Nutini, director of annual giving. "It's an effort that has appealed to both the local community and to those with Michigan Tech ties who live elsewhere." Tree sponsors include local residents and businesses, Michigan Tech alumni, and current and retired Michigan Tech employees.
Anyone who wants to sponsor a tree can do so online or by contacting Nutini at 487-3609 or pjnutini@mtu.edu . |
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6. Healthy Tip of the Week |
brought to you by HuskyPAW
How to Stick with your New Year's Resolutions
1. Focus on the positive. Congratulate yourself every time you take a step towards your resolution goal.
2. Avoid berating yourself if you should fall back or break a resolution. Just brush yourself off and start over again.
3. Stick to your resolution by considering it a promise to yourself, not a test of your will power.
4. Avoid situations that put you in temptation's path, meaning if you're on a diet, don't go to the ice cream parlor.
5. Keep a sticky note in a prominent place so that you see it every day, reminding yourself of your resolutions. |
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7. In Print |
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Professor Emeritus, Harley L. Sachs (Humanaities), announces the new edition of "A Troll for Christmas" published by Zumaya, and a new anthology of his mysteries, "The Mystery Club Series," four complete novels in a single volume printed by lulu.com. Sachs winters in Portland, Ore., and writes technology columns for Northern Express in Traverse City. |
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